For me, most traits are things you are born with, although they can be acquired if you are hit over the head often enough. Knowledge; citing sources, research techniques, even organization can all be learned provided you have the necessary traits.

Self-Discipline - Must be a self starter and able to often work alone.

Common Sense - if it looks too good to be true . . .

A Logical Mind - able to make a whole pie from the pieces.

Curiosity - You must love a mystery, as life is filled with them.

Generosity - family history is all about giving.

Tenacity - like a dog shaking a bone, never give up.

Discretion - many of the things we find will require it.

Luck - Hopefully "Good Luck." I'll take luck over skill any day. In my case if it weren't for "bad luck" I wouldn't have any at all.

Enthusiasm - the drive to learn something new everyday. The reason you get out of bed every morning.

Conscientiousness - If you say you're going to do it, do it. Even if you only say it to yourself.

Humility - Don't worry. If you don't have this trait you will soon acquire it.

A Keeper - both personally and professionally. All the Family Historians I know are keepers. Our families couldn't do without them.

This list really sums it up. Probably #7 and #8 have helped me the most. I usually have horrible luck, but it's been a different story in genealogy. And 5, 7, and 11 are easy ones to forgot, but they are just as important.

Congratulations on your Top 40 status! (Although you were already "tops" with me!)

I love this list! Curiosity is certainly a necessity and I have often needed that tenacity to find the information I needed. Before my children had their own computers I also had to have "selective hearing" so I couldn't listen to them complain about how long I was taking on the computer!

You nailed it fM! While all essentials - numbers 5, 8 & 11 will allow you to go the distance, as they all generate Good Karma! Congrats on being named to FamMags Top 40 ~ I can't think of a more deserving lass!:-)

One of he things I liked best about your list was that I had the opportunity to read it again and again and again as i checked out the items that were noted by your readers. O goodness, and I said that without taking a breath -- or a period or a comma. 13 great items for reflection.

My opinion is that commas and periods are highly overrated and often get in the way of a fine writer completing an exquisite thought as it is transferred to the page in one pure stream emerging unmolested from the brain to the hand. Whew!

Excellent choice of a dozen traits. I guess these traits applies to anything you do in life. The the that really caught my attention was item number 2. When we were growing up my dad alwasy told us to use our CS in his words which meant common sense. Common sense is perhaps the basic ingredient for excellence in what ever you do. Thanks for th elis tof dozen traits.